PlayStation VR 2: all the latest PSVR 2 rumors

After months of anticipation, we were finally treated to a technical deep dive into the PlayStation 5. Unfortunately for fans of Sony's VR headset, though, we didn't receive a definitive release date or confirmation that PSVR 2 is in the works.

Sony hosted a live stream on March 18, which was available to watch on the PlayStation Blog – Sony's go-to spot for game announcements and stories about PlayStation-related news.

With the PS4 and PS4 Pro life-cycles officially reaching their ends, and Sony confirming a "Holiday" release date for the PS5 , we can't help but wonder what Sony has in store as a successor to PlayStation VR. Could it be PSVR 2? What features will it include? We'll have to wait to find out more.

Sony did technically release a second PSVR headset back in 2017: the CUH-ZVR2added an HDR pass-through, integrated headphones and a smaller connective cord. But the true PSVR 2.0 could feature a much greater jump in specs that will take advantage of the PS5's next-gen hardware - upping its resolution, pixel quality and refresh rate.

The main question is, will the PlayStation VR 2 simply improve on its predecessor’s visuals, or will it add features like inside-out tracking or even go wireless to compete with the premium technologies found in the ranges from Oculus (such as the Oculus Quest) and HTC?

While Sony did officially divulge more details on the PlayStation 5's hardware, they didn't disclose what's next for the company in terms of virtual reality.

We’ve got the latest rumors and industry insider info on what the PlayStation VR 2 could look like, its likely release date, potential backwards compatibility and much more.

Moss on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony)

Cut to the chase

What is is? The next version of PlayStation VR

When is it out? Potentially end of 2020 or 2021

How much will it cost? TBC - probably around the PSVR's $499 launch price

PSVR 2 release date

It’s almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with the PlayStation 5, but we now know we won't be seeing the next-generation Sony console until late 2020. That means we definitely won't see PSVR 2 until the end of 2020 at the very earliest and (more likely) at least 2021.

If Sony mostly allocates its manpower to PS5 production, then the PSVR 2 could launch much later than the console’s release date - perhaps even years later. PlayStation VR launched three years after the PS4, after all. But the relative success of PSVR means that Sony is likely exploring the potential of a refreshed, next-gen headset.

PSVR 2 news and rumors

Patent hints PSVR 2 controller could have finger sensorsSony has patented a new motion controller design that could be for the PSVR 2.

Published by WIPO (via 91mobiles), the newly published patent is for a controller device, shaped similarly to a Wii controller, with finger-tracking sensors that can determine which user is playing and the distance between the controllers themselves.

"This controller device is worn on the hand of a user and includes: a plurality of sensor units that detect the fingers of the user; and a sensor support part that supports the sensor units," the patent description reads. "The sensor support part supports the sensor units so that the distance between adjacent sensor units can be changed."

According to the patent, the controller will feature a strap for the wrist, a trigger button on the top and then a long, vertical strip with the finger sensors, so when a player's hand grasps the controller, their fingers cover the sensors.

If this is the design of the new PSVR 2 controllers then it's welcome news, as we will be happy to see the back of the Move's colorful orbs. Plus, these streamlined gamepads should be more accurate at detecting in-game interactions due to its finger-tracking sensors.

Could PSVR 2 be wireless?LetsGoDigital has unearthed a patent for the next-generation virtual reality hardware that suggests that PlayStation VR 2 will be wireless, boasting built-in cameras and a transparency mode that would give you the ability to see the world around you through the headset's screens.

Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a patent earlier this year - which was approved on October 3, 2019 - with the United States Patent and Trademark Office titled 'Data processing'.

This patent details a virtual reality headset with three built-in cameras - two at the front and one at the back - alongside motion detection technology. If that's not enough, it looks like the PSVR 2 headset could also be wireless, and boast a built-in power supply, microphone and its own video/audio signal source. In other words, no more plugging in headphones for sound or cables for imagery, with speakers built-in.

This is a big change from the current PSVR headset that is wired, and lacks a built-in speaker and microphone, although the actual look of the potential PSVR 2 headset doesn't look far off its predecessor if the patent proves indicative of industrial design.

(Image credit: USPTO/Sony)

The potential PSVR 2 headset could also be much better at movement tracking, according to the patent, with numerous LEDs positioned around the back of the headset to better allow any external tracker to gauge player movement. While the headset itself may be wireless, a separate camera (like the PlayStation Camera) may still need to be used to track these LEDs.

We could also see the PlayStation Move controller getting an upgrade, including its own built-in camera, according to the patent – though its purpose is unclear at the moment, beyond suggestions of further motion tracking improvements.

Next up is the potential addition of transparency mode. This would allow the headset the ability to show a certain amount of transparency when required, allowing the user to see their real-life environment. The purpose of this? To allow for AR applications, as well as a safety option, restoring the player's view of their immediate surroundings without the need to remove the headset.

Leaked internal email - debunkedAccording to a 'leaked internal email' from Sony (and posted to NeoGaf), the PS5 will be unveiled at a "PlayStation Meeting 2020" launch event on February 12, 2020. This meeting, according to the rumor, aims to showcase "the future of Sony PlayStation to the whole world".

In addition, the email states that "new investments have also been made in the VR sector of the company", with "numerous tests being carried out on the new PSVR 2 prototype". The email also states that "top management of the marketing team started planning official consultations on the official marketing presentation of the new PSVR 2 device before the start of the fiscal year 2021", suggesting PSVR 2 may not release until late 2020 or 2021.

However, we've now passed that date with no official reveal or news from Sony.

Live events?Siliconera spotted two filings relating to Sony's virtual reality headset which could point to the sort of experiences the company is planning for the future. The pair were filed in 2017 and 2018 respectively, suggesting that (if they've been pursued by Sony) they could soon bear fruit.

The first relates to live events. Sony's patent describes a scenario where a user is in attendance at a real world location, such as a sports stadium, with the headset "anchoring" them "to a physical location in the venue".

They'd be surrounded by real-world attendees, letting them watch the event as if they were actually there. It sounds similar to other live VR applications, like Next VR, Melody VR or Oculus Venues.

Buddies as NPCsA second patent describes turning buddies from your PSN games list into spectators of your games as you play. So, rather than generic NPC crowds in the stands of a FIFA match or along the track of a Gran Turismo race, your friends could chose to have an avatar representation of themselves turn up in your game.

These avatars could be true to life, or any sort of stylized representation they choose to submit. They could either choose to spectate in real-time in virtual reality, or show their support through a "pre-programmed" clip.

Could it track eye movement and head motion?A new patent suggests the PSVR2 track eye movement as well as head motion.

What will that do for VR? According to the Sony Interactive Entertainment patent, it will enhance immersion by refining what each eye sees - aka ‘parallax images’ - for improved stereoscopic depth. Sony is also developing tech to keep those images relative when you rotate/tilt your head.

But there are other possibilities for eye-tracking in VR, including alternative control methods and/or interface options - which would be a great accessibility option for disabled gamers.

Image credit: Sony/USPTO (Image credit: USPTO)

PlayStation VR 2 could fuel the future of Gran TurismoIn a roundable interview with GT Planet, Gran Turismo series creator Kazunori Yamauchi revealed that, when it comes to harnessing the power of next-gen consoles, Polyphony Digital's focus is primarily on VR.

“The first thing that’s going to be affected by more power is VR,” Yamauchi told GT Planet. “I don’t think that there’s anything else that requires that much processing power. I really like VR; I’m one to believe in the possibilities of it, and it’s very suited for a driving game.”

As Gran Turismo is a PlayStation exclusive series, it's likely that the future of the racing franchise will be fuelled by PlayStation VR and its likely successor: PlayStation VR 2.

While Sony hasn't officially confirmed that PSVR 2 is in development, Yamauchi's comments suggest that the company will be leaning into VR in a big way when it comes to the upcoming PS5.

“VR is something that really depends on the evolution of GPU power, and the hardware for it, like display devices even," Yamauchi continued. "It’s something where you can never have enough computing power; there’s always going to be that hardware limit, and that limit is never going to be high enough for us! Obviously that’s going to gradually improve over time and we’ll make sure to follow that.”

Current PSVR headsets will work with the PS5The first details about the PS5 landed in early 2019, bringing with them confirmation that your current PlayStation VR headset will work with the next-gen console.

Speaking to Wired, Mark Cerny (lead system architect at Sony working on the upcoming console) confirmed that all existing versions of the PlayStation VR will be compatible with the next-gen console.

Whether there will be a new PlayStation VR 2 at launch is currently unclear. Cerny said, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today."

While he didn't say that Sony won't be updating its virtual reality headset at the launch of the next-gen console, he was swift to clarify that it's worth buying an existing PSVR if you haven't already got one.

He also said, "VR is very important to us and the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.”

Backwards compatible"Almost all" of the top 100 PlayStation 4 games are set to be backwards compatible with the PlayStation 5 at launch, but we're unsure which PSVR games will make the cut at this stage.

Good news for glasses wearers?According to published patent (spotted by Upload VR), Sony is working on "prescription glasses with eye gaze tracking and electro optical signaling to a HMD".

These Sony developed prescription glasses would be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze would be able to be detected by the VR headset via an encoded sensor. In other words, glasses-wearers could use VR much easier. We don't expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of eye gaze software does mean we can probably expect it to arrive in the PSVR 2...

PSVR 2 price

The current PlayStation VR starter bundle retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but this affordable cost came after several price drops.

The original price for a full bundle, $499 (£399, about AU$650), could give us a good idea of what Sony will charge for the PSVR 2 headset.

Of course, this new headset will have some potentially expensive tech to go with the PS5’s increased potential.

Adding better display quality, as well as doubling the screen count, could jump up the price.

For comparison, a “premium” VR headset currently on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which retails for $800, £800 or around AU$1,045. Depending on the PSVR 2’s hardware, Sony could choose to list it as a premium device.

But, that would likely go against its brand of offering an affordable entry into VR. We’re hopeful Sony will avoid pricing all but the wealthiest among us out of VR.

We also spotted a patent for upgraded motion-control wands with finger tracking and haptic feedback.

Higher-cost bundles of PSVR 2 may very well include these controllers for VR experiences that a DualShock controller can’t provide.

The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021. (Image credit: Sony)

All the updated hardware, design and accessories

The most concrete info we have on what PSVR 2 could be capable of comes from JDI’s announcement of its 3.2-inch display with 1,001ppi and 2160 x 2432 resolution.

JDI claims that this display will reduce latency to 2.2msec (compared to >18msec today), allow for 120Hz (same as the PSVR 1), and demand less processing power to achieve better image quality—potentially unlocking a lighter, smaller design for the headset.

The upgraded AMD Ryzen chip that Sony has implemented in the PS5 could certainly achieve the processing power necessary to support these displays.

Credit: AMD

Sony, which uses JDI’s screens for its smartphones, will very likely rely on these upgraded displays for its new headset. Considering we already found the PSVR 1’s design comfortable for long playing periods, this could make its heir apparent even more enjoyable to use.

Of course, if the PlayStation VR 2 does go with dual displays, this will make the graphical demand for the headset much more difficult to achieve. For example, if Sony wanted 4K VR, then the PS5 would need to be capable of 8K output - which it will be.

We do suspect that the PSVR 2 could go wireless, considering Sony prioritized cutting down the size and weight of the cord that connects the headset to the console in its PSVR 1 upgrade, it’s clear the company sees it as disruptive, even annoying. Removing it entirely is the logical next step.

By doing so, Sony will also make it easier to support room-scale tracking for PSVR 2. Oculus and HTC have supported it for a couple of years now, and it’s one of the primary areas in which PSVR falls short of its competition.

The PlayStation Camera does track your head and controller movements as you play while seated, but can struggle to keep track accurately if you move around (especially with your back to the camera), and our reviewers found that it frequently lost track of the controller even while motionless.

Adding support for room tracking will only help Sony in increasing the size of its game library, as it will support more experiences that rely on wandering around a room.

Of course, this could mean that the new PSVR 2 bundle will include a couple of room sensors to augment the Camera’s tracking – or opt for 'inside-out' tracking that uses onboard cameras in the headset to monitor the space around it.

Most first-gen VR bundles came with the camera included, but none included 6DoF tracking sensors. (Image credit: Sony)

We also suspect that Sony has plans to double down on Move controllers. A patent shows that it wants to compete with the Oculus Touch and Vive controller by adding improved tracking functionality to its Move wands.

(Image credit: Sony)

Sony’s most promising idea is its “reaction force generator”, which would have portions of the Move wand expand or contract based on whatever the user is currently “holding” in-game.

This tech could make experiences feel more immersive than before, without having to give up on controllers entirely (see: Oculus’ haptic gloves).

PSVR 2: just what the VR industry needs?

PlayStation VR hasn't met Sony's sales expectations, but its sales are nothing to sneeze at compared to the high-end VR headset competition, but Sony had expected the entire VR market to grow.

Instead, Sony likely worries that VR will stay too niche to make the profits the company once hoped for. Kodera said Sony would have a more “realistic outlook” on what kind of future sales it can expect.

Kodera’s statement implies that Sony remains committed to producing more VR devices. Unfortunately, the tepid VR market could mean Sony invests less time and money into future VR experiences.

But, ideally, the PlayStation VR 2 and other next-gen headsets with better specs and fewer cords could revitalize the market and keep Sony fully on board with VR.